| Summary: | A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg. 30 May 2018. === The drivers and implications of avian haemoparasite infection in wild birds are complicated to
understand and predict, especially in areas where infections are endemic and the parasites have
co-evolved together with their hosts. I studied the prevalence of avian haemoparasite infections
in the Kruger National Park and the impact of haematozoa on host immune response. Six sites
were sampled and blood from 685 birds of 87 species was microscopically screened for
parasites. Haemoproteus, microfilariae, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon,
Aegyptianella and Hepatozoon spp. were detected. Overall prevalence was 27.33 % with 29
cases of mixed infections, which were mostly in association with Haemoproteus. Prevalence
was similar for all sites and seasons, with no apparent influence of host life history traits on
infection. Interestingly, immune status and body condition were better in infected than
uninfected individuals. These findings reveal the complex relationship between parasites and
their avian hosts in a southern African environment. === LG2018
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